Department of Justice

Federal Jury Convicts Armed Career Criminal

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Dan Reed (50, Daytona Beach) guilty of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. Due to his prior criminal record, Reed qualifies for enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 19, 2016. Reed was indicted on July 15, 2015.

According to testimony presented at trial, Reed engaged in a dispute with his neighbor regarding money Reed believed the neighbor owed him. In January 2015, Reed went into his house, retrieved a firearm, and brandished that weapon while threatening to kill his neighbor and those gathered with him. When the police responded, they recovered a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver from Reed. At the time of the offense, Reed had multiple prior felony drug-trafficking convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Daytona Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Embry J. Kidd.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.